WWE Payback Review By Radi Lewis II
 Written By Radi Lewis II
El Torito vs Hornswoggle (winner El Torito) First match of the night took place as El Torito took on Hornswoggle in a hair vs mask match.WWE put this match on the pre-show to hype the Chicago crowd as they get ready for Payback. The match itself was decent for a pre-show match and the amount of comedy in this match is what held it back from being a great match. This is the time that WWE needs to build a mini-s division around EL Torito who was a legitimate wrestler down in Mexico and was one of their biggest stars. Mini- matches when taken seriously can be one of the most exciting matches to grace WWE’s ring in a long time. But overall, an okay match that hyped the crowd for the rest of the night.
Sheamus (C) defeats Cesaro with Paul Heyman (United States Championship) - This match kicked off the show with a bang! Sheamus and Cesaro are WWE’s top talents so it is no surprise that their European style wrestling clashed with each other. The buildup for this match has been decent and built heat between the two competitors looking forward to Payback. Personally, I was hoping for a double turn between Cesaro and Sheamus, that would have been amazing for Cesaro’s career as a face and Sheamus as a brute heel. Anyway, the finish to this match was completely idiotic with Cesaro doing the Giant Swing on Sheamus but Sheamus getting the inside cradle pin for the win.
Rybaxel defeats Cody Rhodes and Goldust - This match had no buildup whatsoever so of course WWE puts it on the show but it turned out to be a fast paced good match but what is getting people talking is the Post-match promo between Cody Rhodes and Goldust. After Ryback shellshocks Cody for the 3 count, all of the frustration between Cody and Goldust finally climaxed when Cody grabbed a Mic to talk to Goldust. Cody Rhodes says that he deserved a better tag team partner than himself and walks out.
Russev defeats Big E by submission via Accolade- Personally, I was looking forward to this match because it is two big men who are agile and great wrestlers. I was expecting a hard-hitting and just pure mayhem in this match. Apparently, I guess that made too much sense and WWE’s logic is a short squash match that does not give Russev any more build. Oops, my bad!
Bo Dallas vs Kofi Kingston ends in a draw - What? This is one of the most illogical finishes I have seen to this match. Listen, I am a BO-liever but even I cannot stomach this finish. As soon as the bell rings, Kane comes out and choke slams Kofi and leaves. Well more of Kane is never a bad thing right WWE?
Bad News Barrett defeats Rob Van Dam with the Bullhamer- I enjoyed this match with the red-hot Barrett taking on the highflyer Rvd. This match was a really good match with some decent spots in the match with Rvd’s leg drop from the apron on Barrett, but in the end Barrett knocks out with the bullhamer elbow on RVD.
 Daniel Bryan, Brie, and Stephanie segment-Stephanie Mcmahon comes to the ring and wants to strip Bryan of the titles Bryan and Brie come to the ring and Stephanie makes sure to mention that this is all on Bryan if Brie gets fired for not giving her the titles.
Stephanie says the people want Bryan to quit just like CM Punk did (CM Who?). Anyway, Brie calls Stephanie a term reserved for female dogs and the crowd starts chanting it at her. Brie slaps Stephanie and says that you can't fire me because I Quit! Stephanie walks away in embarrassment as Brie celebrates with Bryan.
John Cena defeats Bray Wyatt in a last man standing- This match was a brutal match with plenty of violence going around and I loved it. The match started out slow but escalated in storytelling and brutal action. There was a lot of interference from the Wyatt family and the Usos. From John cena throwing Steel steps at Bray Wyatt’s skull to the superplex spot when Luke Harper suplexed one of the Usos through two tables. Bleeding from the arms and bruises, both Bray and Cena put on a clinic in that ring. However in the end, John cena overcomes the odds and AA’s Bray Wyatt into a crate and traps Bray Wyatt under equipment for the 10 count.
Paige (C) defeats Alicia Fox via submission- Bathroom break anybody? This is what happens when you put on a Woman's match in between the two main events to cool the crowd down before the main event. Paige put on the Scorpion Cross lock to Alicia fox and she taps out.
Main Event Shield vs Evolution- Not surprisingly, this was arguably the best match of the night. All 6 competitors (including Boo-taista) put on an absolute hardcore match. Evolution getting the better of evolution in the middle of the match and bashed Ambrose and Rollins with chairs, throwing both of them in the steel steps. Then, Evolution triple team powerbombed Reigns through a table. Dragged Reigns into the ring and gave Roman Reigns a lot of kendo shots to his back. In the end, Rollins eliminates Boo-tista first after a spear from Reigns, Ambrose gives Orton a Headlock DDT on a steel chair and Reigns spears HHH for the pin and victory for all of the Shield still in the ring.
Overall, a great show 7.5/10 with the 2 main event matches over delivering in my opinion with some good mid-card matches.
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